Demand for skilled workers in Auckland reaches 3-year high

Competition for top talent has been
reinvigorated in Auckland, following a staggering 72 per
cent quarter-on-quarter increase in the number of new roles
advertised between January and March 2014, says New
Zealand’s leading employment marketplace, SEEK.

According to the latest data from SEEK, the number of
new jobs across New Zealand, year-on-year, increased by 12
per cent. Auckland is one of the region’s leading the
growth with a 17 per cent year-on-year increase in
advertised roles. Growth figures of 93 per cent and 24 per
cent have also been seen in Marlborough and Tasman
respectively.

“The demand for skilled workers in
the first quarter of 2014 is the highest Auckland has seen
in more than three years,” says Janet Faulding, General
Manager of SEEK New Zealand.

“Seasonal adjustments
aside; it has been great to see the number of new roles
available increase steadily each month, underpinned by the
very healthy growth of the property and construction
sectors,” says Ms Faulding.

Over the last 12
months, the number of available construction roles in
Auckland has increased by 55 per cent, followed closely by a
54 per cent rise in demand for those in design and
architecture and a 49 per cent spike in real estate and
property agents.

The boom in building and civil
works is expected to continue as New Zealand’s largest
construction companies vie for their share of $4 billion in
public private partnership contracts currently
available.

Roles across Auckland’s professional
services sectors are also on the rise, with roles in human
resources and recruitment seeing positive year-on-year
growth of 45 per cent, call centre and customer service (43
per cent) and administration and office roles (39 per
cent).Ms Faulding says Auckland-based organisations
looking to hire in the corporate sector should be aware that
the increasing demand for skilled professionals covers all
levels of experience and expertise.

“Month-on-month data for April has shown the most
significant increase in demand for skills was for those with
experience in senior management roles, including CEOs.

“Organisations looking to hire top tier talent should
be aware that competition to secure experienced managers is
at the highest level SEEK has ever seen in Auckland. The
demand for CEOs and senior executives is also higher in
Wellington,” says Ms Faulding. SEEK advises
Auckland-based organisations to plan ahead when considering
their talent needs as the increase in available roles will
naturally intensify the competition for the best possible
employees.

“Auckland is set to experience further
positive growth and demand for skilled professionals.
Organisations looking to secure the best talent will need to
ensure their job ads are highly visible to attract the right
talent,” concludes Ms Faulding.

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